<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>77724</law_id><section_number>19.2-327.16</section_number><catch_line>Issuance of writ of vacatur for victims of commercial sex trafficking</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>19.2-327.20</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="19.4">Issuance of Writ of Vacatur for Victims of Human Trafficking</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Notwithstanding any other provision of <span class="dictionary">law</span> or rule of <span class="dictionary">court</span>, upon a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> of a person who was convicted or adjudicated delinquent of a qualifying <span class="dictionary">offense</span>, the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> of the county or city in which the <span class="dictionary">conviction</span> or adjudication of delinquency was entered shall have the authority to <span class="dictionary">issue</span> <span class="dictionary">writs</span> of vacatur under this chapter. <a id="paragraph-278760" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-327.16/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The Rules of Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia governing practice and procedures in <span class="dictionary">civil actions</span> shall be applicable to proceedings under this chapter. <a id="paragraph-278761" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-327.16/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> The <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall have the authority to conduct <span class="dictionary">hearings</span> on <span class="dictionary">petitions</span> for vacatur. <a id="paragraph-278762" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-327.16/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">party</span> aggrieved by the decision of the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> may <span class="dictionary">appeal</span> the decision to the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span> of Virginia. <a id="paragraph-278763" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/19.2-327.16/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 543.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
